The 24-year-old is expected to start for the Reds on Monday evening as manager Brendan Rodgers returns to his former club Swansea, but Laudrup has admitted his 'surprise' at Sturridge's swift return to fitness.

"I thought Sturridge would not play because he was not fit enough for England, but now 48 hours later the reports are saying that he is fit to play against us," the South Wales Evening Post quotes Laudrup as saying.

"I was a little surprised about that. I hope he plays because I want to play against the best Liverpool team, but I thought there were rules to stop players not playing for their country and then playing for the club. But then that's none of my business."

Sturridge was named as the Premier League player of the month for August, while Rodgers was given the manager of the month accolade.